Fire extinguishing device



Jan. 29, 1935.4 R. E. JONES RIRE EXTINGUISHING DEVICE Filed NOV. 19, 1932 w mws n km) Y g77-ORNE):

Patented Jan. 29, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-*ICE 11 claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a re extinguishing device and the primary object of my invention is to provide a device of this character containing a plurality of charges of nre extinguishing material, explosive propellants therefor and means for successively igniting 4said explosive propellants for successively hurling the charges of re extinguishing material from the device.

Another object of my invention is to provide a re extinguishing device in the form of a gun including a plurality of charges of re extinguishing material,` explosive propellants alternating with said charges of fire extinguishing material and a trigger operated mechanism for controlling at will the time of discharge. of each of the explosive propellants for causing the charges of re extinguishing material to be successively `hurled from the device.

Another object of my invention is to provide a flre extinguishing device which is so constructed and operated that it may be easily and quickly placed in operative position regardless of its size for hurling successive charges of re extinguishing material contained in the device upon a fire in its early stages and so prevent a greater conflagration.

A still further and important object of my invention is to provide a fire extinguishing device which is easy to operate, cheap to construct, efflcient in use, is not liable to get out of order and which is made substantially moisture proof to keep the device in condition for use many years after the assembly thereof.

A still further object of my invention is to proyvide a fire extinguishing device, by means of which charges of fire extinguishing material may, through the action of successive explosive propellants, be hurled, each charge at will, upon a nre; this without necessitating the use of an electric battery (which would deteriorate and in consequence prove unsatisfactory) or a mechanical generator of electricity (which would be relatively expensive and cumbersome).

In the re extinguishers at present in use, which contain a plurality of charges of fire extinguishing material and explosive propellants for successively hurling the charges of nre extinguishing material from the device, no means are provided thereon for controlling at will the time of discharge of each of the explosive propellants thereby causing all of the charges of re extinguishing material contained in the device to be used up at one time.

'Ihe aim and purpose therefore of my inven- -tion is to provide a fire extinguishing device containing a plurality of charges of re extinguishing material, explosive propellants therefor and means for controlling at will the time of explosion of each of said propellants whereby the charges of ilre extinguishing material may, without waste or confusion, be hurled upon the nre when and where they will be most effective.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more Afully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing; it being understood that various changes in form and other details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. Referring more particularly now to the accompanying drawing, in which corresponding parts are indicated by similar reference characters:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section view of my improved re extinguisher; V

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of my improved operating mechanism used in carrying out my invention;

Fig.- 4 is an enlarged perspective view of another portion of my invention, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a passageway used in carrying out my invention.

In the illustrative embodiment characterizing my invention A indicates generally my improved fire extinguishing device, which comprises a cylindrical casing 1 made of any suitable material such as .seamless steel which is closed at the rear end 2 thereof by means of a disk 3 provided With a handle portion 4. The disk 3 is connected to the casing 1 by being welded thereto or the like.

The cylindrical casing 1 is divided into a control compartment 5 and a main compartment 6 by means of a separator 7 containing apertures 8. The separator 7 is made of a substantially thick, rigid and flat piece of material preferably metal .and is provided with an end portion 9, which is bent upwardly at right angles to the body4 portion thereof and is shaped to conform to the inner periphery of the control compartment 5. On the upper end of the portion 9 is any suitable locking means such as the T-extension 10, which is. adapted to engage a slot 11 in 'y the front upper end of casing 1 for locking the portion 9 closely in contact with the front end of the control compartment 5. The longitudinal side edges 12 of the separator 7 are beveled to conform to the curvature of the interiorside wall of the casing 1 for facilitating the fit thereof within the casing. In order to hold the separator 7 deeply and fully seated with the casing 1, an angle member 13 is provided within the rear end of the main compartment 6. The member 13 is made of a substantially rigid piece of material preferably metal and is connected at its upper end to the separator 7 by a rivet 14 or the like. The lower end 15 of the member 13 is bent outwardly substantially in the direction of the closed end 2 of the casing 1, forming a pressure engaging portion 16. By applying pressure to the portion 16 of the member 13, the lower end 15 thereof is caused to frictionally engage the lower inner surface of the casing 1, forcing the separator 7 in an upward direction and seating it deeply therein. c

Mounted in the rear end of the main compartment 6 adjacent the angle member 13 is a spacer member 17 which is made of any suitable light' material. Adjacent the spacer member 17 is an explosive propellant 18. The spacer member 17 is of a sufdcient thicmess longitudinally to cause the explosive propellant 18 adjacent thereto to be placed at a predetermined distance from the closed end 2 of the casing l.

Adjacent the rst mentioned explosive propellant 18 is a wad 19 made of any suitable material such as paper or the like; adjacent the wad 19 is a charge of fire extinguishing material 20 preferably powder of any suitable known character. The charges of fire extinguishing material may be encased in a frangible casing 20' which would break when ejected on coming into contact with any object. Adjacent the charge of fire extinguishing material 20 is another wad 19 and next an explosive propellant 18, then a wad 19 and next a, charge of fire extinguishing material 20, and so on, until the main compartment 6 is filled almost to the front end thereof, when a wad 19 is fitted on the` foremost charge of fire extinguishing material 20. Each of the explosive propellants 18 is provided with a fuse 21 which projects upwardly from the explosive propellants 18 parallel to each other. The free end of thefuses 21 project through the apertures 8 of the separator 7 and through openings 22 in alignment therewith of a separator mat 23. One ofthe openings 22 of the separator mat 23 is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing and` comprises a plurality of inwardly converging projections 24 having pointed ends. 'Ihe pointed ends of the projections 24 are adapted to project part Way into the fuses 21 for holding the free ends thereof in position on the separator mat 23. The ends of the fuses 21, whichproject into the control compartment 5 after being' trimmed close to the openings 22 of the separator mat 23, are provided with a suitable ignition composition such as is used on the head of a safety match, thereby providing a match head 25 on the ends of the fuses 21. The separator mat 23 is made of a long strip of suitable material such as a thin strip of metal and is of the same length as the body portion of the separator 7 and of suliicient width to substantially cover the entire upper surface ofthe separator 7.

The control compartment 5 is provided with a plurality of sub-separators 26 made of thin sheet metal or the like and provided with centrally located and aligned apertures 27. The subseparators 26 are shaped to conform to the curvature of the upper portion of the control compartment 5, and are mounted on the separator mat 23 in spaced relation to each other forming a plurality of sub-compartments 28. In each of the sub-compartments 28 is a match head 25 of the fuses 21. On the lower edge of certain of the sub-separators 26 are integrally formed loop members 29 which extend longitudinally thereof toward the rear end 2 of the casing 1. The loop members 29 are aflixed to the separator mat 23 by means of counter sunk rivets 29' or the like which project through aligned apertures provided `in each of the loop members 29. The rivets 29 also connect the separator mat 23 to the separator 7. The sub-separator 26 adjacent the rear end of the control compartment 5 is made of thicker material than the other of said subseparators 26 to provide a bearing member and has av projecting portion 30 on the lower edge thereof which is connected to the separator mat 23 by a common rivet 14. The sub-separator 26 adjacent the front end of the control compartment 5 and the end portion 9 of the separator 7 provides an auxiliary sub-compartment 28'. Rotatably mounted on the sub-separators 26 within the apertures 27 thereof is a longitudinally extending control shaft 3l.

To prevent longitudinal movement of the control shaft 31 within the control compartment 5 the rear end may be provided with any suitable retaining means such as a washer or disk 32 and cotter pin 33. 'I'he front end of the control shaft 31 projects into theauxilary sub-compartment 28' and is provided with a ratchet disk 34. Fixably mounted within the auxiliary sub-compartment 28 by rivets 35 or the like, is a bearing 36 for the front end of the control shaft 31. The control shaft 31 is provided with a plurality of releasing disk segments 37 which are xably mounted on the shaft 31 closely adjacent the right hand side of the sub-separators 26 by any suitable means such as by being welded thereto. The disk segments 37 are semi-circular shaped and are so mounted on the shaft 31 with respect to each other tically extending portion 39 is provided with a centrally located cut-out portion 41 on the upper end thereof and a cut-out portion 42 on the side edges thereof which form outwardly projecting portions 43 containing apertures 44. The lower surface of the horizontal extending portions 40 is provided with any suitable igniting material such as is used on the sides of safety match boxes, and frictionally contacts with the match heads 25 of fuses 21. The ignition devices 38 are adapted to be slidably mounted within longitudinally extending slide guide ways 45 provided at certain spaced intervals along the longitudinal sides of the separator mat 23 within the sub-compartments 28. A pair of coil springs 46 which are normally under tension is provided in each of the sub-compartments 28. The springs 46 have one end of each connected to one of each of the loop members 29, and extend rearwardly in an inclined direction parallel to each other where they are connected by the other end thereof within theapertures 44 of the vertically extending portion 39. 'I'he springs 46 are provided for pulling the ignition devices 38 in a forward direction when they have been released by the disk segments 37. The said disk segments 37 hold the ignition devices 38 inoperative position against the action of the coil springs 46 within the control compartments 28 by detachably engaging the upper inner surface of the vertically extending portions 39 at the center thereof. Thefront end-of the horizontally extending portions 40 of the ignition devices 38 normally projects slightly beyond the match heads 25'of the fuses 21 provided in the sub-compartments 28.

On top of the casing 1 near the front end thereof is a member 47 which consists of a handle 48 and a housing 49. 'Ihe housing 49 is of a substantially rectangular shape and extends vertically upward from the casing 1. Reciprocally mounted in the housing 49 is a trigger 50 as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing for operating the control shaft 3l. The trigger 50 is preferably made of an integral piece of strap metal and comprises a depending arm member 51 and an upper end portion 52 which is bent to form a thumb engaging portion 53 which projects upwardly beyond the top of the housing 49. The free end of the arm member 51 projects downwardly through a suitable slot 54 provided in the casing l into the auxiliary sub-compartment 28' where it engages the teeth of the ratchet disk 36. On the under surface of the thumb en gaging or button portion 53 is a downwardly projecting stud 55` on which is mounted one en d of a compression spring 56, the other end of the spring 56 is fitted over a stud 57 provided on the upper surface of the casing 1. The compression spring 56'is in the form of a coil and is provided for returning the trigger 50 to inoperative position after pressure has been applied thereto for rotating the control shaft 31. To limit the longitudinal movement of the trigger 50 within the housing 49 so that only one pressure inwardly will rotate the control shaft 31 a distance equal to that caused by the trigger 50 engaging one tooth of ratchet disk 32, a projecting stud 58 is mounted on one side of the housing 49 which projects into a short longitudinal extending slot 59 provided on the arm member 51. In order to prevent any tampering or accidental operation of the trigger 50 a safety key 60 is provided thereon which consists of a cotter pin 61 and ring member 62. The cotter pin 61 is adapted to project through aligned apertures 63 provided in the housing 49 and the ilnger engaging portion 53 of the trigger 50. The ring member 62 is mounted on one end of the cotter pin 61 and is provided for removing the ootter pin 61 with the finger when desired. One end of the handle 48 of the member 47 is mounted on a support 64 which is connected to the casing 1 by rivets 65 or the like while the other end of the handle 48 is connected to one side of the housing 49.

A ratchet control disk 66 having grooves 67 of U-shaped formation may be provided at any suitable place on the control shaft 3l such as be removably seated within the grooves 67 and held in frictional contact therewith by means of the spring action of the member 68. The ratchet control disk 66 together with the resilient member 68 are provided for insuring that the control shaft 31 will stop at the proper place after each rotation thereof by the trigger 50.

After the various elements of my improved fire extinguisher have been `properly assembled and mounted within thecasing l suitable moisture preventing material such as cellophane or the like may be temporarily applied around the upper end of the housing 49 of the trigger 50 as at 7l or at any other suitable place on the device which 'may allow moisture to enter therein such as around the edges of the separator 7 and the end closure 9 thereof. To permit the re extinguisher to be hung on a nail or. the like and be ready for instant use, an aperture 72 may be provided in the lower portion of the front end of the casing 1. In operation my device functions -as follows: In case `of re the operator thereof pulls the safety key 60 from the device thereby putting the trigger 0 in operati-ve condition. He next grips the handles-i and 48 by hishands and-directs the device on the fire pressing the triggero inwardly with his thumb which in turn 'causes the disk -segment 37 on the control shaft 31 adjacent the front end thereof to release its ignition device 38 which ignitesthe fuse 21 of the' first propellant 18, which upon being exploded causes the flrst charge of re extinguishing-material in the front end of 'the main compartment 6 to be hurled from the device on the nre. Repeated operation of the trigger 50 causes the other disk segments 37 bn the Ycontrolshaft 31 to successively release the other ignition devices 38 which successively ignite the tse's`2l of the other ex;

plosive. propellants 18 which in turn are set oif causing the remaining charges of re extinguishing material in the device to be successively hurled from the device -on the ilre. A

If this device be made in a large size, it is suit' able for use by two men. In such case, one man carries the front end and operates the controlling mechanismgthe other man carries the rear end. If desired, additional handles may be attached.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a highly novel and eiiicient form of nre extinguisher which is well adapted for all the purposes designated. Even though I have herein described my invention as comprising certain structural elements, it is neverthelessto be understood that changes may be madejtherein without departing from the spirit or scope of lny invention.

Having described-my invention what I claim as new and wish to secure byLettersPatent is:

1. A fire extinguishing device, comprising a tubular member. a plurality of charges of fire extinguishing material spaced longitudinally within said tubular member, a plurality of propellant charges alternating with the said re extinguishing charges within the said tubular member, a separate abrasive means to ignite each of the propellant charges, and means to control at will in succession the operation of the said abrasive means. A

2. A iire extinguishing device, comprising a casing member, a plurality of spaced charges of fire extinguishing material within said casing member, a plurality of. propellant charges alternating with the saidhrel extinguishing charges, a separate abrasive means to. ignite each of the propellant charges, and a control mechanism to actuate and control at will in succession the operation of the several said abrasive ignition means.

3. A flre extinguishing device, comprising compartments, a plurality oi charges oi.' nre extinguishing material, explosive propellants mounted in one oi said compartments and alternating with said charges of explosive propellants, a fuse provided on each of said explosive propellants and connected by one end thereto, the other end of said fuses terminating in another of said compartments, abrasive means in said last mentioned compartment for igniting each of said fuses and control means for successively operating each oi.' said abrasive means whereby'the explosive propellants are successively ignited to successively hurl said charges of fire extinguishing material from the device. j

4. A fire extinguishing device, comprising compartments closed at one end, a plurality of charges of re extinguishing material, explosive propellants mounted in one of said compartments and alternating with said charges; of re extinguishing material, a fuse provided on each of said explosive propellants and connected by one end thereto, the other end o! each of said fuses terminating in a match head in another of said compartments, a plurality of abrasive means for igniting vthe match heads of said fuses, to ignite said fuses to ignitesaid explosive propellants, and a trigger operated mechanism for successively operating each of said abrasive means.

5. A re extinguishing device, comprising a casing having compartments closed at one end, a plurality of charges of fire extinguishing material, explosive propellants mounted in one of said compartments and alternating with said charges of re extinguishing material, 'and having wads adjacent thereto a fuse provided on each of said explosive propellants, one end oi each of said fuses connected to one of each of said explosive propellants, the other ends of said fuses terminating in another of said compartments, and abrasive devices slidably mounted in said last mentioned compartment for igniting each oi said fuses of said explosive propellants, said abrasive devices being spring actuated.

6. A re extinguishing device, comprising a casing having compartments closed at one end, a plurality of charges of ilre extinguishing material, explosive propellants mounted in one of said compartments and alternating with said charges of fire extinguishing material, a fuse provided on each of said explosive propellants and connected by one end thereto, the other end of each of said fuses terminating in another of said compartments, a plurality of slide guide ways provided in said last mentioned compartment, and an abrasive device slidably mounted in each of said guide ways for igniting each of said fuses of said explosive propellants.

'7. A fire extinguishing device, comprising a. casing having compartments closed at one end, a plurality of charges of fire extinguishing material, explosive propellants mounted in one of said compartments and alternating with said charges of ilre extinguishing material, a fuse provided on each of said explosive propellants, and connected by one end thereto, the other end of each of said fuses terminating in another of said compartments, a plurality of slide guide ways provided in said last mentioned compartment, an abrasive device slidably mounted in each of said guide ways and means for successively actuating each of said abrasive devices for successively igniting each of said fuses of said explosive propellants.

8. A'ilre extinguishing device, comprising a casing having compartments closed at one end, a

plurality of charges of re extinguishing material,

explosive propellants mounted in one of said compartments and alternating with said charges of iire extinguishing material, a fuse provided on each oi said explosive propellants, and connected by one end thereto, the other end of each of said iuses terminating in another of said compartments, a plurality oi' slide guide ways provided in said last mentioned compartment, a spring actuated abrasive device slidably mounted in each of said guide ways for igniting said fuses of said explosive propellants, means for successively actuating said abrasive devices in said guide ways for successively igniting each of said fuses of said explosive propellants and means for detachably holding each of said abrasive devices against the action of said actuating means.

9. A lire extinguishing device, comprising a casing having compartments closed at one end, a plurality of charges of re extinguishing material, explosive propellants mounted in one of said compartments and alternating with said charges of fire extinguishing material, wads adjacent each side of certain of said explosive propellants, a fuse provided on each of said explosive propellants, one end of each of said fuses connected to one of each of said explosive propellants, the other end of each of said fuses provided with a match head and terminating in another of said compartments, a plurality of slide guide ways provided in said last mentioned compartment, an ignition device slidably mounted in each of said guide ways, means for actuating said ignition devices in said guide ways to ignite said matchheads of said fuses, means for detachably holding each of said ignition devices against the action of said actuating means and means ior operating said holding means for successively releasing said actuating means for successively operating said ignition devices to successively ignite each of said fuses of said explosive propellants.

l0. A fire extinguishing device, comprising a casing having compartments closed at one end, a plurality of charges of re extinguishing material, explosive propellants mounted in one of said compartments and alternating with said charges of fire extinguishing material, a fuse provided on each of said explosive propellants, one end of each of said fuses connected to one of each of said explosive propellants, the other end of each of said fuses provided with a match head and terminating in another of said compartments, a plurality of sub-compartments provided in said last mentioned compartment, a spring actuated ignition device slidably mounted in each 'of said sub-compartments, a shaft rotatably mounted in said sub-compartments, disk segments provided on said shaft for detachably holding said ignition devices in operative position within said sub-compartments, and a trigger for rotating said shaft to operate said disk segments for successively releasing said ignition devices to successively ignite each of said match heads of said fuses to ignite said fuses for successively igniting each of said explosive propellants for successively hurling said charges of iire extinguishing material from the rst mentioned compartment.

1l. A nre extinguishing device, comprising a casing member, a plurality of spaced charges of nre-extinguishing material within said casing member, a plurality of propellant charges alternating with the said charges oi ilre extinguishing material, a separate abrasive means for igniting each of said explosive propellants, means for actuating each of said frictional means, means for holding said frictional means in operative posi- 5 tion against the action of said actuating means and means for releasing at will in succession said of said explosivapropellants to successively hurl.

said charges of fire-extinguishing material from said device.

RALPH E. JONES. 

